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Gallery: Ducati unveil 2019 WSB challenger

Aruba Racing Ducati has today lifted the covers off the first iteration of Ducati's V4 Panigale to take on the Superbike World Championship this year with Chaz Davies and Alvaro Bautista.

The headline-grabbing V4-R, complete with MotoGP-style winglets, has been the subject of much discussion through the winter as Ducati set about winning their first World Superbike crown since Carlos Checa won the 2012 championship on the 1198 for Althea Racing.

The bike features the striking Ducati colours with prominent branding for title sponsor, tech firm Aruba.it.

Testing has been mixed for the Italian marque's new duo. Bautista demonstrated strong one lap pace but seemed to struggle for consistency while Davies' progress was hampered by injury.

The team will now pack up and fly to Australia, where one final test will take place before the first round of the 2019 season kicks off at Phillip Island between February 22-24.

By
Oli Rushby

Sports reporter covering British Superbikes, World Superbikes and road racing